Mechanical stoker.



A G. ELVIN, A. B. FAHNESTOCK & F. H. CLARK.

MECHANICAL STOKER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPTJZO. [9!].

1,267,644. Patented May 28, 1918.

5 SHEETSSHEET T.

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4. .d "I o O O o O O O 0 0 O O l IlIfl L *FIG-1.-

WITNESSES INVENTORS via;

my v.

A. G. ELVIN, A. B. FAHNESTUCK (Ka F. H. CLARK.

MECHANICAL STOKER.

APPUCATION FILED saw 20. 917.

lutmflvd May 28, 1918.

5 SHEETS SHEEP 2v iEltlTO WITNESS 1. Ndl

A. G. ELVIN, A. .B. FAHNESTOCK & F. H. CLARK.

Patented May 28, 1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

A. G. ELWN, A. B. FAHNESTOCK & F. H. CLARK.

MECHANICAL STOKER.

APPLICATION FILED sEPnzo. 1917 1,267,644. Patented May 28, 1918.

5 SHEETS SHEET 4. f2 4' A. G. ELVlN, A. B. FAHNESTOCK & F. H. CLARK.

MECHANICAL STOKER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-20.19l7.

Patented May 28, 1918.

5 SHEETS-SHEEF 5.

-FIG-6 sec. ww.

wfl/mfi 3231271327 n f'dazw ALBERT G. EL'VIN, 0F PLANDOME, ADAM BRUCEFAHNESTOGK, 0F GREAT NECK,

FRANK H. CLARK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.; SAID FAHNESTOGK AND SAID CLARKASSIGNOBS '10 SAID ELVIN.

MECHANICAL STOKEE.

ratemeaiaa as, 11918.

Application filed September 20, 1917. Serial No. 192,260.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ALBERT G.'ELVIN, of Plandome, in the county ofNassau and State of New York, ADAM B. FAHNESTOCK, of Great Neck, in saidcounty and State, and FRANK H. CLARK, of New York, in the county of NewYork and State of New York, have jointly invented a certain new anduseful Improvement in Mechanical Stokers, of which improvement thefollowing is a specification.

Our invention relates to appliances for mechanically feeding fuel tolocomotive and other steam boiler furnaces, of the class or type inwhich the members which act directly to project the fuel into thefurnace are in the form of fuel carrying and throwing shovels, movingabout axes adjacent to a firing Opening in the furnace, as generallyexemplified in Letters Patent of the United States Nos. 1,058,356;1,111,531; and 1,128,428, granted and issued to Albert G. Elvinaforesaid, under dates of April 8, 1913, September 22, 1914, andFebruary 16, 1915, respectively.

The object of our invention is to materially simplify the construction,and improve.

the operation, of mechanical stokers of the above specified type, by theprovision of means whereby the movements of the shovels and themechanism for supplying fuel thereto shall be positively synchronized inproper relation; the clogging of, and resultant damage to the mechanismby the accidental lodgment of fuel therein, be effectively guardedagainst; facilities for thorough lubrication of, and ready access to,the movable members, be provided; and the application of power beeffected to all the movable members, from a single operating motor,under a simplified construction of the transmission elements.

The improvement claimed is hereinafter fully set forth.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a view, partly in sideelevation and partly in section, of the adjoining portions of acoupledlocomotive engine and tender, illustrating an application of ourinvention; Fig. 2, a rear view, on an enlarged scale and partly insection on the line 2 z of Fig. 1, of the elevator casing and shovelbox, showing also the operating mechanism; Fig. 3, a verticallongitudinal central section vthrolfgh the elevator and gear casings andthe shovel box; Fig. 4, a transverse section through the gear casing, onthe line a: m of Fig. 3; Fig. 5, a similar section on the line y y ofFig. 3; Fig. 6, a plan or top view of the shovel box, with the coverremoved; Fig. 7, a longitudinal central section through a shovel shaft,on the line w w of Fig. 3, and Fig. 8, a similar section through ashovel bufier, on the line 0 o of Fig. 6.

Referring descriptively to the specific embodiment of our inventionwhich is herein exemplified, it is, as in Letters Patent Nos. 1,058,356and 1,128,428 aforesaid, illustrated as applied in connection with alocomotive engine, (indicated as a whole by B), and a tender, (indicatedas a whole by A) which are coupled together for service, in the ordinarymanner, by a draw bar, C, such appli cation of our invention being made,as in said Letters Patent, for the purpose of mechanically conveyingfuel from the coal space, a, of the tender, to the firing door opening,6, of the firebox, b, of the locomotive, and intermittently projectingapportioned quantities of the fuel, through said opening, into thefirebox.

Our invention consists in certain improved features of structure andcombined operative action, all of which will be here inafter fullydescribed, of the essential elements of the Letters Patent aforesaid,which, broadly stated are: (a), a fluid pressure motor, which actuates,in appropriate relation and sequence, the following operatinginstrumentalities, to wit; (6), a conveyer, by which fuel is transferredfrom the coal bin of the tender to the vicinity of the firebox of thelocomotive; (c) an elevator, to which fuel is delivered by the conveyer,and by which itis raised to the proper level for firing; (d), a shovelbox or receptacle, to which fuel is delivered by the elevator; (e), aswinging shovel, by which fuel is carried from a location of deposit inthe shovel box and projected into the firebox; and (7), intermediateactuating mechanism.

In the practice of our invention, we provide, at the front end of thecoal space, (a),

is shown as of the tendon a supply hopper l through which fuel issuppliech by gravity to a conveyor, -which may he of any suitablepsefeirecl construction, and, in this instance,

being a screw 2, which is journalecl in an upwei'clly and forwardlyiclined. casing, 2% the rear end which is supported on the tender, andlorwerl encl of which is citiculatecl to the lower section of a shovelbox, 9, securccl to the litebox B of the locomotive, by a hell member, 2fitting in a socket, e holtecl to the shovel box. llotzition is impartedto the com eye? screw 2, by an operating motor, 5, through connectionshereinafter clesciihecl and it is unaffected by relative movement of themotive encl tender l3}? reason of to accommodate itsell ZllSfQtO, oughball joint connection at tie forward enl the conveyor casing,

The shots loci: 9 is all tion Q locetecl or the lwe? is the firing i003}opcni" c section in which two ing and throwing oscillated, shoutsubstsnfl and e lower SECLlC'Ii; which forms fuel rec which the conveyec2 op cncl forwardly linecl elevator is secured to the novel hos, ssiilcasing extending through the lower section thence-i and below said lowersection, open at top, to toe upper se shovel box, its rest siclcreceiving pocket 9" the front or" sequently presents correspon y Wercllyupwardly inclined opening. 15. l-loo? plate 9, is secured on the top ofthpertition 9" and the upon section of the shovel he is c secl at top foi e cove? plate 9 The pertl ion, 9% and fioo plate, S ere recessed orcut away, so as to orin opening. 9 between the upper secti ii of shovelbox and the fuel receiving pocket, 9 at the top iiilil front of soiclpocket. This opening pc is any fragments of fuel may Q'VeTlALL is heck0" see elevator plunger to pess the upper section of the shovel box, onthe counsel stiolie the plungen prevents them from being jenimecl ii thepmtiom 9 e firing cloor open 6 above the top oi shovel box is closed i adoor or doors 0' any suitable and prereel fornu by his -l}ll'lm1l-9l1 ofwhich the .o emotive can s man :ell fired, if i' "oulcl st oecomenecessary 0' BSllttblB to n he ope ction of mechanism of one inventiongear case, 33, is holtecl to bottom ccni shaft, 32 is oiwcrcl m atight 1. ic: casing, e. 11 sour in 3 to e delivery positionsubstantially at e leve oi the ho toms of the shovels, ll Wheel, 13,which is gouinelecl on the the cam, 32 rotates seitl com in one whenengaged with rotch ts thereof spring; peels, 13, end, cl, in theopposite direction cloes i it; movement to the com or the oh v engages snorm i l"- iixed on e cl shalt, i l, jousnelecl in the casing,

7 connected, by a clutch coupling 15,

W. is manually operated by a clutch vein 15 the eh i- 15 control a hy n,throttle valve, n e chest, 5, stein, 5, oi the sit-4, 5 of the moton 5.e

on Al I T l Y tniostle valve oeing couoleo 0 it link, e

ocetesl Within con 1 is connected to the elevator plunger i iplocetestherewith in the casing l, the i notion of said. plate losing to closemuniceticn between fuel receiving pocket 9 anti elevates cash-"1g "whenthe plunger tee-el e top of the fuel re ceiving pocket. 3 16., which isof substantially o forward open end of t e lo pocket, 19*, and isnormally helcl the position shown in Fig. 3, by e spr ng, The Wiperserves to prevent the movement of the elevator plunge item beingobstructed by comgocmtively large overhanging fragments of fuel, byeithec pushing them forso as to rest completely on the face "e lg O1knocking thein heel: into the .I, I 'L I, t the-cools lever, 5 J 7 Arec-ch oi the hi V (L closure e 09 R W a fuel receiving pocket, to hebrought up in pt e Po then on e succeeding upward the plunger,

eve 3P, is formed on the seen i disk can, 3i, c, section of said grooveextending for shout 200 degrees sins t is can shaft 32, being anadjoining concentric seicl shale, and comparatively shorter pQZLIlGIlbeing era receiving the groove will remain at rest while the concentricportion of the groove is passing it; will be moved in one direction,comparatively rapidly, while the shorter inclined portion is passing it;and will be moved in the opposite direction, comparatively slowly, whilethe longer inclined portion is passing it; the periods of rest, ofrelatively quick movement in one direction, and of relatively slowmovement in the opposite direction, being successive, in the orderstated.

Two rockers 17, 17, are journaled on pins, 17 fixed in the lower portionof the shovel box, on opposite sides of a plane passing through theaxes' of the cam shaft, 32, and the pinion shaft, 8, and a roller, 30,fitting in the cam groove, 31*, is journaled on a pin, 30, at one end ofeach of the rockers. The opposite ends of the rockers carry segments,18, which engage corresponding pinions, 19, fixed on the lower ends oftwo shovel shafts, 12, journaled in the. shovel box, adjacent to, and onopposite sides of, the firing door opening, 6, each of said shaftshaving a fuel carrying and throwing shovel, comprising a stock or body,11, and a blade, 11, fixed upon it, adjacent to its upper end. In orderto enable the pinions, 19, to be tightened on the shovel shafts, ifdesired, the lower ends of the shafts are longitudinally divided, asindicated in dotted lines in Fig. 7, and a stem, 12*, having a taperedor conical expander, 12, on its lower end, is passed centrally througheach shovel shaft. The upper ends of the stems, 12, are threaded, andprovided with nuts, 12, abutting on washers on the tops of the shovelshafts, by tightening which nuts, the expanders, 12*, are drawn upwardlyto expand the lower ends of the shovel shafts into the pinions, 19. Oilreservoirs, 20, are formed on, or'secured to, the shovel box, around andabove the shovel shafts, to enable said shafts'to be continuously andthoroughly lubricated.

It will be observed that nearly all the moving members of the appliancethat require lubrication, are inclosed within the shovel box, 9, andgear case, 33, and for the purpose of automatic and continuouslubrication thereto, an oil pump is provided, which may be in the formof a cylinder, 21, secured to the gear case, 33, and fitted with apiston or plunger, 22, which is coupled, by a link, 23, to one of therockers, 17 by the movements of which it is reciprocated in thecylinder. The oil pump is provided with suitable suction and dischargevalves, of ordinary construction, and is properly piped to the lowerportion of the gear case, and to an oil supply tank, or to any otherportion of the appliance that may be selected.

In order to cushion the shovels at the outer extremities of theirvibratory traverses, a buffer cylinder, 24, is secured to each side ofthe shovel box, between the adjacent shovel shaft and the end of theshovel box which adjoins the firebox, b, and is fitted with a-piston,25, havin a stem, 26,'which projects into the shovel x, in position tobe struck by an arm, 11', on the adjacent shovel stock, 11, as theshovel approaches the outer end of its stroke. In the instance shown,resistance to the inward movement of the piston is provided by theadmission of fluid under pressure to its inner side, through a pipe,24*, and it is moved outwardly by a helical spring, 27, which isinterposed between, and bears on, the piston, and a removable cap, 24,which closes the outer end of the cylinder, fluid pressure beingreleased through a small leak passage, 24, in the cap. As a mechanicalequivalent, the spring may be made of sufficient tension to affordresistance without fluid pressure admission.

The conveyer screw, 2, is rotated by the motor, 5, through the drivingshaft, 14, which carries a worm, 28, engaging a worm wheel, 29, on ashaft, 29*, which is coupled, by a universal joint, to a shaft, 29",carrying a spur pinion, 29, which engages a corresponding gear, 29 onthe shaft of the screw conveyer,

In the operation of a mechanical stoker embodying our invention, thefuel which is transferred from the coal bin of the tender to thelocomotive, is delivered, from the forward end of the conveyer casing,into the fuel receiving pocket, 9 and drops from the forward endthereof, into the elevator casing, 4, from which it is raised, insuccessive portions or charges, by the elevator plunger, 4, .into theupper section of the shovel box, 9, and between the shovels therein.Each charge of fuel is projected into the firebox by the outwardmovement of the shovel which stands behind it, which shovel returns toits rear position before another charge of fuel is supplied to it; theelevator plunger moves downwardly to receive another charge of fuel, andthe shovel which was in its forward position when the preceding chargewas thrown into the firebox, moves to its backward position; theelevator plunger delivers another charge of fuel to the upper section ofthe shovel box, and said charge is similarly thrown into the firebox bythe shovel last specified. Each shovel, after picking up a charge offuel from the elevator plunger, moves rapidly forward until its forwardedge reaches the front of the firing door opening, when the projectionof fuel from it into the firebox commences, and continues throughout theremainder of its stroke, at the terminal of which it is quickly stoppedand the fuel which then remains upon it is thrown toward a corner of thefirebox. The movements of the several mem bers, in proper operativesequence and relation, are insured by the form of the cam l efl've' millencl comp eitness es leeetmg *eeson o1" their own iv 4 "M1!- l 1 mg,slew o venues secure in op psogeotmg cop with said plunger fiizecl toreoiploeeee e motor, and positive eoxmeo't by seirl motor, for heeeorellneeel alternate operation the "-e erojeezing member e 1e elevatorple e1 2. Zn e'meolmnieel szol-zel, e combine time of shovel e022,

ceplzecl to be supported on. e loeomoeive, and to eommefieese with efiring opening is she fireeoz thereof; av/o fuel projeoeing shovels,moueeecl so swing said shovel b x; elevator easing, eommueieeting, atits top, Wl'll seltl shovel hos; an elevator plueger fitted toreoiprooeee is saiel easing; e motes; end positive eions, eetueeeellay-said motor, foreieoeleg the coordinated elizemeee swinging mov mentsof the lfuel shovels, end the reciprocating movements of the elevatorplunger,

In a meelaenieel stokes the combinetion of e shovel hos, eclepteo; eeTee supooreed on a locomotive, and to communicate with 21v firingopening in. SEE firebox "thereof; two fuel projecting shovels, mountedto swing in seiel shovel Ybox; an elevator easing, com

eeo swing seicl shovel eesw eommumoetmg,

eel .eeelvlng 11g; e ClOc: ere pleize connected to the elQ end edepseclto alternately "e1": oommenioetion beizvveee. the

poelse' s seal the eleveizor ees suofolvieg to feel l pe eon- 9 v semimotes -,r o. in e ltoeolle 'tovverd th ilelivery end ol 1 l leaving, itstop, Wren seio shovel plunger, llttetl to "reelpseeete selcl easing; auel e oeivi eg pocket, into said easing; means for supplying fuel e0salcl pocket; e motor; and positive eoneeeeions for eoeuetlng the fuelsuppl v means, the elevetor plungenencl the shovel, by selcl motor,

1 in e mechanical seeker, the combineslen of e shovel ooz, erleptecl tobe supper-heel on e locomotive, end to communicate with e fl ing openingin the firebox thereof:

e fuel shovel, mommies" to swing in said "hovel loos; elevetor casing,communiee its bop, sold shovel 00X; elevator plunger fiiz izecl toreciprocate in easing; "fuel "zeoeiving posses, openlmo selcl easing; anautomatically opere oe Wiper, moufi'ierl at the delivery and of seiclpocket, eml eating to prevent undue goroibmsion of fuel beyond theeiljoining slsle oi the elevator plunger; means for supplying fuel tothe pocket; as motor; and posleive connections for sometthe :luel supplymeans, the elevator "plunger, endelle shovel, by said motor.

ln s, meeheeieel seeker, the combine- I shovel loos, adapted to be sup-21 loeomotlve, and; to eommunieo be pocket, opening selcl box; elevatorwith a. firing opening in the firebox thereof; a partition dividing saidshovel box into upper and lower sections; a fuel shovel, mounted toswing in the upper section of said shovel box; an elevator casing,communicating, at its top, with the upper section of said shovel box; anelevator plunger fitted to reciprocate in said casing; a fuel receivingpocket, opening, through the lower sections of the shovel box, into saidcasing; means for supplying fuel to said pocket; a motor; and positiveconnections for actuating the fuel supply means, the elevator plunger,and the shovel, by said motor.

9. In a mechanical stoker, the combination of a shovel box, adapted tobe supported on a locomotive, and to communicate with a firing openingin the firebox thereof; a partition dividing said shovel box into upperand lower sections; a fuel shovel, mounted to swing in the upper sectionof said shovel box; an elevator casing, communicating at its top, withthe upper section of said shovel box, through an opening in thepartition, having a relieving recess on its side farther from thedelivery end of the shovel box; an elevator plunger fitted toreciprocate in said casing; a fuel receiving pocket, opening, throughthe lower section of the shovel box, into said casing; means forsupplying fuel to said pocket; a motor; and positive connections foractuating the fuel supply means, the elevator, plunger, and the shovel,by said motor.

10. In a mechanical stoker, the combination of a shovel box, adapted tobe supported on a locomotive, and to communicate with a firing openingin the firebox thereof; a fuel shovel, mounted to swing in said shovelbox; a subjacent gear case connected to the shovel box; an elevatorcasing, communicating, at its top, with the shovel box; an elevatorplunger fitted to reciprocate in said casing; a motor; a driving shaftjournaled in the gear case and connected to said motor; and gearing,mounted in the gear case and imparting movement from said driving shaftto the fuel shovel and the elevator plunger.

11. In a mechanical stoker, the combination of a shovel box, adapted tobe supported on a locomotive, and to communicate with a firing openingin the firebox thereof; a fuel shovel, mounted to swing in said shovelbox; a subjacent gear case connected to the shovel box, and formingtherewith an inclosed casing; an elevator casing, communicating, at itstop, with the shovel box; an elevator plunger fitted to reciprocate insaid casing; a motor; a driving shaft, journaled in the gear case andconnected to said motor; gearing, inclosed in the gear caseand'imparting movement from said driving shaft to the fuel shovel andthe elevator plunger, and means for efiecting a circulation of lubricantthrough the shovel box and gear case.

12. In a mechanical stoker, the combination of a shovel box, adapted tobe supported on a locomotive, and to communicate With a firing openingin the firebox there of; a fuel shovel, mounted to swing in said shovelbox; a subjacent gear case connected to the shovel box and formingtherewith an inclosed casing; an elevator casing, communicating, at itstop, with the shovel box; an elevator plunger fitted to reciprocate-insaid casing; a motor; a driving shaft journaled in the gear case andconnected to the motor; gearing, inclosed in the gear case and impartingmovement from said driving shaft to the fuel shovel and the elevatorplunger; and an oil pump, actuated through connections from the drivingshaft, for effecting a circulation of lubricant through the shovel boxand gear case.

13. In a mechanical stoker, the combination of a shovel box, adapted tobe supported on a locomotive, and to communicate with a firing openingin the firebox thereof; a fuel shovel, mounted to swing in said shovelbox, a subjacent gear case connected to the shovel box; an elevatorcasing, communicating, at its top, with the shovel box; an elevatorplunger fitted to reciprocate in said casing; a conveyer for supplyingfuel to said casing; a motor; a driving shaft journaled in the gear caseand connected to said motor; and gearing, mounted in the gear case andimparting movement from said driving shaft to the conveyer, the elevatorplunger, and the fuel shovel.

14. In a mechanical stoker, the combination of a shovel box, adapted tobe supported on a locomotive, and to communicate with a firing openingin the firebox thereof; a shovel shaft, mounted to' swing in said shovelbox; a fuel shovel fixed on said shaft; a rotatable grooved operatingcam; a rocker journaled adjacent to said cam, and rotatable byengagement with the groove thereof; and gearing, through which swingingmovements are imparted to the shovel shaft by 'the rocker.

15. In a mechanical stoker, the combination of a shovel box, adapted tobe supported on a locomotive, and to communicate with a firing openingin the firebox thereof; a shovel shaft, mounted to swing in said shovelbox; a fuel shovel fixed on said shaft; a rotatable grooved operatingcam; a rocker journaled adjacent to said cam; 'a roller,

journaled at one end of the rocker and engaging the groove of the cam;and a segment gear fixed to the opposite end of the rocker and engaginga corresponding pinion on the shovel shaft.

16. In a mechanical stoker, the combination of a shovel box, adapted tobe supported fin on a locomotive and to coinnrinic tiring ope ing in thefirebox shovel shal mounted to sv'ing shovel bor; e fuel shovel listedon an elevator casing, connounicating shovel box? an elevator plunger, rciprocate in said cssmg; e grooved operating cane; gearing which saidplunger is reciprocated by said earn; a rocker journeled to sail cam,and rotatable by engagement with groove thereof; and gearing, throughwhich swinging movements are imparted to the shovel shaft by the rocker,

ii: in a mechanical stolrer, the combination or a shovel bor: adapted tobe supported on a locomotive, and to communicate a firing opening in thefirebox thereof a shovel shaft journ'sled in said shovel box; a -fuelshovel fined on said sheila; means for positively swinging said shaft inalternately opposite directions; and means for cushioning said shovel atthe outer extremity of its stroke.

18. In a mechanical stolrer the combination of a shovel box, adapted tobe supported on a locomotive, and to communicate firing opening in thefirebox thereof; a shovel shaft journaled in said shovel box; a fuelshovel fixed on said shoit; means positively swinging said shaft inalternately opposite directions; and a resistance buffer attached to theshovel bore, in position to be contacted with by the shovel as itapproaches the outer extremity of stroke.

19. In at mechanical stolren, an. inclosin 1 t ro ion at an angle to theupper section, and en thereto at its top, end also open to the uereceiving" pocket; and a gear case sea d to, and depending 520m. theshovel o n l n the side of the elevator casing faro from the fuelreceiving pocket, said case forming a lubricant receptacle for 'nclosedmovable members.

e mechanical stolrer an inclosing i for gearing and other movablememhers oniprising a shovel box, divided by a tion into upper and lovversections; elevator casing extending through and below the lower section,at an angle to the upper section end open thereto at its top; a

We C) fuel receiving pocket in the lower section,

coniniunicating, by an inclined opening,

with the elevator casin and a ear case secured to and depending -from,the Shovel boo: on the side of the elevator casing farther from the fuelreceiving pocket, said gear case forming a lubricant receptacle for theinclosed movable members.

lessen -r ervin.

itnesses extending through and below the lower sec-

